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SYSTEM SPECIFICS IN 'BREAK-IN' - A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

NCJ Number
42289
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 31-40
Author(s)
W GRAY; L R GRAY
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
SYSTEM SPECIFICS IS A FORM OF GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY, DEVELOPED FOR USE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING, THAT HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, ADULT OFFENDERS, AND NEUROTIC PATIENTS.
Abstract
IT WAS DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR GREATER CONTROL AND REGULATION OF THE SYSTEM FORMING PROCESS UNDERLYING HUMAN BEHAVIOR SO THAT DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM PRECURSORS, PARTICULARLY THOSE LEADING TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, COULD BE QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TURNED OFF AND THEN MODIFIED, AND FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOR DEVELOPED. THE PSYCHIATRIC COURT CLINIC AT THE MALDEN DISTRICT COURT IN MASSACHUSETTS USED THIS KNOWLEDGE OF SYSTEM PRECURSOR-SYSTEM FORMATION MECHANISMS TO TREAT JUVENILE AND YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS CHARGED WITH THE CRIME OF BREAKING AND ENTERING. THE REALIZATION THAT THESE OFFENDERS WERE FREQUENTLY THE VICTIMS OF, AND THEREFORE REACTING TO, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL 'LOCK-OUT' IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES LED TO THE FORMATION OF A SYSTEM DIAGRAM WHICH, WITH THE HELP OF ROLEPLAYING, PSYCHODRAMA, AND FAMILY THERAPY, ALLOWED FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND ACTING OUT OF LEGALLY AND SOCIALLY APPROPRIATE (NON-CRIMINAL) FORMS OF 'BREAK-IN' (INTERRUPT, CONTRADICT, CONFRONT). SIX BRIEF CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF THE LOCK OUT-BREAK IN PARADIGM.